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Test Rugby
International Rugby Union
South Africa vs Japan
Wembley Stadium
Wembley, England
Saturday, 1 November 2025
Kick-off is at 18:10
After clinching the Castle Lager Rugby Championship, South Africa will resume their campaign beginning with a tricky test against Japan at the Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening.
The Springboks secured back-to-back Rugby Championship title wins earlier this month, along with glittering performances toward the end of the campaign.
While South Africa suffered a 24-17 loss to New Zealand at Eden Park, the reigning World Champions then bagged a 43-10 win against the All Blacks, which was followed by 67-30 and 29-27 victories over Argentina to clinch the trophy in dramatic fashion.
Springbok coach Rassie Eramus included seasoned players such as Kurt-Lee Arendse, Franco Mostert and Lood de Jager back into this squad after they missed the end of the Rugby Championship owing to injury.
In typical Erasmus-like fashion, the innovative coach opted to go for Mostert in at seven, while he also gave a starting berth to Zachary Porthen, who will be making his senior team debut against Japan.
Reflecting on his squad, Erasmus outlined his reasons for selecting numerous Japan-based players for the upcoming test.
“Six players in the group are currently plying their trade in Japan, and we believe their experience of playing in that league and either with or against some of their players will be a bonus for us, but I’m sure Japan will also tap into their knowledge of those players as they prepare for the match,” Erasmus said.
“It is also good to have a few players back in the mix after missing a few games due to various reasons, and one can sense their excitement to be back in the squad.
“So we felt this is the best team we could field against a quality Japan outfit, who will want to make a strong point against us.”
Springbok record against Japan:
Games: 3
South Africa wins: 2
Japan wins: 1
Draws: 0
Springbok team to face Japan in London:
15 Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath)
14 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles)
12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights)
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls)
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers)
9 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers)
8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks)
7 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) –
6 Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks)
5 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights)
4 RG Snyman (Leinster)
3 Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers)
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears)
1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
Replacements:
16 Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls)
17 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls)
18 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls)
19 Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls)
20 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
21 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs)
22 Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks)
23 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners)
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